Continental GP4000S

dmch2

I fitted my new GP4000S tyres last night, won't get to ride them until tomorrow though. Some observations:
- they're folded up! I'm used to hybrid tyres that are round when you buy them. They don't seem to want to sit in a circle either - I guess they will after they've been on the bike awhile - the Bontrager Race AW pluses I took off sit perfectly round handing up in the garage.
- The rubber is really sticky feeling. As sticky as racking slick tyres on cars. Much stickier than the oem tyres.
- They're easier to put on by hand than with tyre levers - they just sort of 'pop on'
- I remembered to get the logos lined up with the valve hole on the wheel
- The old tyres weighed 340g on the kitchen scales, the contis are 207g according to google

So I've saved weight, gained puncture resistance (according to common wisdom), gained grip (according to wisdom and by feel). Result all round

I'll be back to compare the differences after riding them.

father_jack

do a search for split tye/explosion, problem tyres

dmch2

Over the last month of posts they seemed to be the most recommended tyre. I'm sure you can find examples of anything failing if you search hard enough...

wicked

Father Jack wrote:

do a search for split tye/explosion, problem tyres

I was under the impression that they were very reliable? I certainly have never had any problems, then again I never had problems with the original ultremo's either!

desweller

Mine have been awesome. Not the hardest wearing tyre ever, but there's always going to be a tradeoff for all that grip.

solsurf

great tyre best upgrade for the money imo

gavintc

Top tyre. I use them on all 4 of our bikes. But I note prices have increased - so may look at other options for the 2nd bikes.

dmch2

gavintc wrote:

Top tyre. I use them on all 4 of our bikes. But I note prices have increased - so may look at other options for the 2nd bikes.

A mate of mine said he'd paid less for car tyres! I had to admit that he had a point...

But they seem to be the majority opinion winner where puncture resistance and grip are important whilst still being light and feeling nice. That's why I got them

pinkbikini

Father Jack wrote:

do a search for split tye/explosion, problem tyres

For Conti 4000S? Really? You pumping them up to 200psi or something?

kettrinboy

DesWeller wrote:

Mine have been awesome. Not the hardest wearing tyre ever, but there's always going to be a tradeoff for all that grip.

Ive just thrown out my first pair of GP4000S of three that i run and they had done 8500 miles and the wear dimples were still visible and no punctures, they keep their grip as they age and their puncture resistance.

Butterd2

Another big fan here, wouldn't put anything else on.

PS They fold up because the bead (the bit that tucks inside the lip of the rim) is made from Kevlar not steel which generates a good bit of the weight saving you are seeing.

Enjoy

desweller

kettrinboy wrote:

DesWeller wrote:

Mine have been awesome. Not the hardest wearing tyre ever, but there's always going to be a tradeoff for all that grip.

Ive just thrown out my first pair of GP4000S of three that i run and they had done 8500 miles and the wear dimples were still visible and no punctures, they keep their grip as they age and their puncture resistance.

I'm impressed!

I started suffering from puncture in the back tyre after about 3000 miles. Maybe it's cos I'm a fat bastard.

hopper1

I have GP4000S's on a set of race wheels, but much prefer the Ultra Gatorskins...

dmch2

dmch2 wrote:

I'll be back to compare the differences after riding them.

WOW

Very happy

They're amazing compared to the old standard fit tyres:
- The ride is a noticeably better
- The grip is amazing! If a roundabout is clear I barely need to brake, before I slowed right down and was very nervous. Down the big descent on my route I used half the road I normally do on the corners and had loads of grip to spare.
- The FEEL of the tyres when you turn a tighter corner is AMAZING. I've done a fair bit of race track driving in a car so I'm used to getting the correct line through a corner. With the old tyres I'd turn in, not feel anything, get nervous and end up missing the apex by half the width of the road or more. With the GP4000S you just turn and they happily say 'certainly sir' and do EXACTLY what you asked.
- Hard to tell if it was the wind or not but they seemed to roll a fair bit better. I spent far more of my regular route than normal in that happy zone when you just fly along with seemingly no effort on the flat or up slight hills. Is that rolling resistance? lighter weight? who knows?!

So I'm very very happy. I've got a tyre that is noticeably better at everything, is claimed to be very good at puncture resistance and is lighter. OK it costs more but compared to the cost of the bike it's a huge upgrade for little money. Would a 105 groupset over my tiagra for an extra £100? £200? make the bike this much nicer?

nickwill

hopper1 wrote:

I have GP4000S's on a set of race wheels, but much prefer the Ultra Gatorskins...

Have you ridden Gatorskins on wet slippery roads?
I do use them on my winter bike because they are durable, but I am always war on fast descents, because they suddenly let go.
I've been using Pro Race 3s on my good bike which feel fantastic. In 2000 miles on Cumbrian roads I didn't get a puncture, but the back one is now completely shot and the front one is borderline. I've now gone back to GP4000s's as they function nearly as well, but last longer.

squired

I suffered a split on mine. To be fair though, a sharp piece of metal sliced right through the tyre and inner tube. It also gouged a nice deep crevice into my rim as well, so I don't think any tyre on the market would have done any better.

antfly

gavintc wrote:

Top tyre. I use them on all 4 of our bikes. But I note prices have increased - so may look at other options for the 2nd bikes.

They can be got for £28 so prices have come down, if anything.

Bar Shaker

I just posted this up in 'buying'... Its from 2007 but still an interesting test.


http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/downloads/download/tourtest_gp4000s_en.pdf

solsurf

after saying that I had no problems I had two punctures over the next two days, saying that I think it was from the same area where they had be fabricating metal and small shards of metal have cut the tyre, I don't think anything would keep tiny shavings of metal out. New tyre needed nearing 2000m anyway